American Idol Extra is a television show that was shown on the Fox Reality Channel and Star! and billed as "the show that picks up right where American Idol leaves off". The program featured the first full-length interview with the most recent eliminated contestant and various behind-the-scenes material.

It was hosted by Jillian Reynolds and co-hosted by Ace Young, a former contestant of the show. Jillian interviewed each week's eliminated contestant as well as Idol contestants from years past. The show included exclusive behind the scenes packages from the Idol show as well as live, in studio, performances by former Idols. Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi were periodically interviewed after the results show tapings.

The second season (2007) brought some changes. JD Roberto became the host and the show became exclusive to Fox Reality Channel. In addition, the show is now taped on a stage of CBS Television City adjacent to the Idol studio in front of a live studio audience (the stage was also used for The Price is Right).

Weekly segments include interviews with audience members who watched the performance show, interviews with past Idol contestants, a trivia contest, and a viewer question submitted by text messages from AT&T (formerly Cingular) subscribers.

Michael Johns made a special surprise for Carly Smithson. He also interviewed about his thoughts from the judges, his previous appearances, his upcoming appearance for the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and his song choices that he should have sung after he got eliminated.

Like Michael Johns, Kristy Lee Cook made a special surprise for Brooke White. She also interviewed about her previous appearances, and her song choices that she should have sung after she got eliminated.

JD Roberto had an exclusive interview with Paula Abdul about the controversy between her and Jason Castro after the first performance.

JD Roberto had last interviews with the eliminated Top 12 Finalists about their finale performances and feedbacks for the Final 2. He also had an exclusive one-on-one interview separately with David Archuleta and David Cook.